Suspect slashed victim's throat, stabbed him seven times, police say

Stabbing suspect Eric Guynes cried Thursday during Baxter County Circuit Court as Judge David Laser described the allegations against Guynes during a hearing to determine if there was probable cause to hold Guynes on a charge of criminal attempt to commit capital murder.

Judge Laser, reading from court documents, told Guynes that according to Mountain Home police, Guynes went to a local thrift store early Wednesday morning where he encountered 46-year-old Michael Newberry outside the business near his vehicle.

Guynes allegedly asked Newberry if the two men knew each other. Newberry responded they didn't. Then, Guynes allegedly struck Newberry from behind, stabbed him seven times in the back and slashed his throat.

With Newberry sitting in his car bleeding profusely from the neck, Guynes allegedly set Newberry's car on fire before fleeing the scene, Judge Laser said.

Guynes' Chrysler van ran out of gas and he allegedly tried to steal a car. The owner saw the attempt and called police as the owner of the car reportedly followed Guynes.

When police found Guynes, they noted he had blood on his pants. In addition, the judge told the court, police allege they found a bloody knife in Guyne's pocket.

Mountain Home police officer Phillip Gonten was the first officer on scene of the stabbing and reportedly found Newberry, who had managed to get out of his vehicle, spurting blood from his neck, said Laser as he concluded the narrative.

Newberry was taken by ambulance to Baxter Regional Medical Center for treatment of his numerous injuries.

If convicted on all counts, Guynes could face several decades in prison.

While Judge Laser set Guynes' bond at $350,000, Guynes is being held without bond due to a parole hold. Guynes was convicted last year of theft after stealing a truck. He told the judge, he had been out on parole for six to seven months before he was arrested in connection with the stabbing.

Guynes has a criminal history in Baxter County dating back to 2012. He has been convicted of a total of 11 felonies in Baxter County, including eight for theft of property, two for residential burglary and one for breaking or entering, according to electronic court records.

In one of those cases, Guynes admitted to entering the home of a fatal motorcycle accident victim and stealing some of the dead man's belongings.